The Dangers of Screen Addiction

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People are spending more and more time each day staring at phone and computer screens. A study conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2015 found that 64% of U.S. adults own smartphones and that number is increasing rapidly. People are becoming addicted to their cellphones. 67% of smartphone owners have admitted to checking their phones when it didn’t ring or vibrate. Unfortunately technology is becoming more of a necessity in our daily lives especially for millennials like Tyler Vogel. ¨ I spend at least 6 hours a day on my phone and I don know what I would do without it.¨ In America people spend approximately 7 hours a day looking at computer and smartphone screens and an average of 5 hours watching tv so how exactly is this affecting us?

Studies have shown that between 50% and 90% of people who work in front of a computer screen are affected by computer vision syndrome. This is not just one symptom but a range of different types of eye pain and strain. These symptoms are similar to carpal tunnel syndrome as your eyes repeat the same over and over and gets worse the longer you continue it. Overuse can result in symptoms blurred vision, double vision, dry, red eyes, eye irritation, headaches and neck or back pain.

So what else can you do besides look at a screen all day? You can try out new hobbies, start up a business, meditate, try new foods, go on a bike ride, learn a new language, go on a walk. Instead go out with your friends and have fun instead of looking at a screen. It also hurt your neck which is bad. And it could cause early neck pain. Try to not use your phone as much as you do now and you be good.